Aunty Janet provides a warm welcome to patients

RBWH IHLO Aunty Janet

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Indigenous Health Liaison Officer (IHLO) Aunty Janet is just one of the friendly faces in the RBWH IHLO team.

As an elder of Gumbayngirr Nation, mid-north coast of New South Wales, Aunty Janet has spent most of her life caring for her community.

Throughout her career as a social worker, university lecturer and tutor, and senior public servant, she has worked in various locations across Australia and has travelled all over Queensland, including to the Torres Strait Islands.

Aunty Janet holds a master’s degree in social work and has almost half a century of experience working in government and community organisations. She has been at RBWH for nine years as an after-hours IHLO.

“I enjoy my job because it allows me to give back to our people by doing my best to ensure their needs are met and they are satisfied with their engagement with RBWH,” Aunty Janet said.

“The IHLO position allows me to meet people from various places and histories, so I am always learning. Working with clinical and allied health staff is also enjoyable as it teaches me to value my good health and assists others to get the best out of health services in RBWH.”

The team assists both patients residing in South East Queensland, as well as those who are travelling from rural, remote and regional communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and family members attending RBWH are encouraged to contact the IHLO Service ahead of their visit by calling (07) 3647 9535.

For more information, visit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services page.